"Our friend Ely----"
"Your friend Ely! What the dickens, sir, do you mean by calling me your friend?"
Very red in the face, Mr. Ely struck an attitude in front of Mr. Summers which was probably intended to express ferocity. Mr. Summers tugged at his beard, and smiled. Mr. Ash interposed.
"I can hardly think, Mr. Summers, that it is necessary for me to suggest that your presence is not required here."
"My dear fellow, I am only waiting to obtain a little information."
"What information can you possibly expect to receive?"
"I only want to know where Miss Truscott is."
"Yes, that's all! That's all he wants to know! A more modest request I never heard! He only wants to know where my wife is!"
"Excuse me, Ely, but Miss Truscott is not your wife!"
"But she's going to be!"